Biography

Ray Jones and Mike Unger of Ash2Ash got their start playing front porch jams and local churches as youngsters around Martinsburg, West Virginia (panhandle area).

After forming their first band together at seventeen, the pair continued on to get together in "River's Edge" touring extensively with the band. While in River's Edge, they played at the Elipse at the White House three years, they also played for Farm Aid and worked with the likes of Willie Nelson and John Melancamp.

As River's Edge, their cd debut cd Cabin Fever>/i>,was Pure Americana sound done with band members Brent Woodall, Ken Johnson .On it they featured 2 songs with extensive airplay Cabin Fever, Love You Till I Die.
The second cd, On the Edge. produced by Two Time Grammy Winner Larry Butler featured a host of original material ' I Get The Picture written by keyboard member Terry Metz and 2 Dean Dillon Songs.

Shortly after River's Edge, they formed Tilhance with Sam Stilwell and Terry Metz. The cd /i> received airplay in twelve countries, holding a long running number one spot in Europe and Australia.

When their lives took an unexpected turn in 2005, both Ray and Mike were lead back to their beginnings, playing in local churches. Tragedy looked Ray in the eye when he lost his young wife to cancer in June of 2005, instead of growing bitter. Ray turned his life back over to the Lord.

With that comitment, his hand and heart were guided to write and play music like never before.

His lifelong friend Mike Unger, watched the changes Ray went through and was amazed, and as he said"a little ashamed." Mikes son is handicapped and has faced several life threatening surgeries in the past few years.

"Here I was, saying "why me Oh Lord" and being resentful because my son had these problems, and then I looked at what Ray had gone through, and I felt ashamed of blaming the Lord. Here was my son, alive and smiling and forevermore I will be grateful, " Mike says, with a catch in his voice.

With that, Mike re-committed his life to the Lord, and from that day forward, he and Ray and produced Inspirational music glorifying God.

Their first cd "In These Troubled Times" received rave reviews, including "Loved the cd. The best music is written for the right reasons, a work from the heart," ...Larry Butler, Two-Time Grammy Winner.

Most recently they have released "One Step Closer" as they continue their journey writing and playing for the Lord. This promises to be their best ever.

Ray and Mike were invited to play at the Pentagon for the "First Annual Gospel Jubilee" in June. Not only were the songs "One Step Closer to Thee, Forevermore and The Chosen One" hits with the audience, they were a hit with Humanitarian/Gospel Singer Stella Parton, as she invited Ray and Mike up to sing with her on her set and she played the final performance of the day!

If you have the opportunity to hear them, you won't be disappointed, if you compliment them, they will just smile, and humbly say, we're just His messengers.

The goal of this talented duo? If we can save just one with our music, it is worth it all.
Mike adds, "You have no idea how moving it is to see someone come up to the alter and give their life over to Jesus, after we play, there is nothing better."